Modi 3.0 Fulfills Major Promise: Ayushman Bharat Insurance Scheme Expanded to Cover Senior Citizens Above 70

The Indian cabinet approved a far-reaching decision to ensure better care for the elderly by granting universal health cover to senior citizens.

The big move, announced on Wednesday, extends the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-AB PM-JAY-to all senior citizens aged 70 and above irrespective of their family income.

The scheme has been announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April, ensuring health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family. All in all, as many as 6 crore senior citizens from about 4.5 crore families are expected to gain from the extension.

Further, under the new policy, any senior citizen 70 years and above would get the AB PM-JAY benefits on his/her own and would be provided a new, different card given to this category of beneficiaries.

Those currently covered under AB PM-JAY will have an additional top-up of up to ₹5 lakhs per year for their personal health cover.

Those already covered under other public health insurance schemes, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), could retain their existing cover or migrate to AB PM-JAY at their option.

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Coverage under the new measures has been extended to seniors who were already covered under private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance schemes.